Stairs for swimming pools

ABSTRACT

Pre-formed stairs for a swimming pool installed relative to an opening in one wall thereof and having a series of steps extending upward and rearwardly from said wall, the front face of said stairs being mechanically secured to said wall and the stairs per se also being secured in watertight relationship to the lining of the walls of the pool.

o E Unite States Patent 11 1 1111 3,848,378 Witte 1 Nov. 19, 1974 1 STAIRS FOR SWIMMING POOLS 3,263,385 8/1966 Pauls 52/467 3,374,491 3/1968 Patin et a1 52/742 [751 Inventor: Dmam York 3,398,496 8/1968 Mischile 52/467 73 Assignee: Fox P00] Corporation York, p 3,511,002 5/1970 Fox 52/146 3,744,198 7/1973 Boassy 52/184 [22] Filed: Aug. 18, 1972 3,755,981 9/1973 West 52/169 [21] Appl. No.: 281,754 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Related U.S Application Data 361,649 1 H1931 Great Britain 52/182 l l B' [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 223,837, Feb, 7, 582,88 H1946 Great mam 52/182 1972 abandoned Primary Examiner-Henry C. Sutherland [52] U S Cl 52 4/172 52/l52 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-C. Hercus Just 52/169 51 Int. Cl E04f 11/00, E04h 3/16 [57] ABSTRAQT [58] Field of Search 52/146, 182, 183, 184, Preformed stalrs for a swlmmmg P installed rela- 52 9 7 152; 7 9 tive to an opening in one wall thereof and having a series of steps, extending upward and rearwardly from 5 References Cited said wall, the front face of said stairs being mechani- UNITED STATES PATENTS cally secured to said wall and the stairs per se also 1 684 765 9,1928 H d m being secured in watertight relationship to the lining e een 2,695,689 11/1954 Peterson of the walls of the pool 3,236,012 2/1966 Luven 52/184 16 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENIEJSYIQISH- I sum 10F s INVENTOR- DONALD H. WITTE BY g ATTORNEY PATENH; rzsv 1 91974 SHEET 2 BF 5 INVENTOR. DONALD H. WITTE ATTORNEY I SHEET 3 BF PATENI am: 1 9 I974 I T L F IG. 7

INVENTOR. DONALD H.W|TTE A ORNEY STAIRS FOR SWIMMING POOLS This application is a continuation-in-Part of now abandoned Ser. No. 223,837, filed Feb. 7, 1972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The majority of swimming pools presently in use have sides or sidewalls which are substantially vertical. In view of the fact that the average swimming pool, with the exception of wading pools for children, have walls which are, in general, at least aboutthree feet high and extend downward from the upper edge substantially vertically for such distance or more, removing ones self from such a swimming pool is arduous in the absence of some sort of ladder means, steps or other means to assist in the process.

At present, it is relatively common to have some sort of ladder means comprising a series of horizontal steps secured at the opposite ends to vertically extending tubular members or the like which either are fastened to the sidewalls of the pool or extend vertically between the bottom of the pool and the deck which extends rearwardly from the sidewalls. Various types of dispositions and modifications of the ladder means are presently employed but these do not offer the comfort and advantages afforded by stairs, especially for infants and elderly people, as well as all types of swimmers.

In certain types of pools, such as those constructed substantially entirely of concrete, similar to those sometimes found in private clubs and the like, permanentsteps usually are installed in one or more of the walls of the pool so as to extend rearwardly and upwardly therefrom. One example of steps of this type are briefly shown in FIG. 1 of US. Pat. No. 3,124,905, dated Nov. 17, 1964. Steps of this type usually are formed from bricks or tiles which are set in cement and, in general, are of a decorative motif and are frequently finished with the same type of tile, for example, as usually cover the sidewalls and/or bottom of the pool. Obviously, pools of this type are of masonry and cement construction and are far more expensive than the relatively popular types of swimming pools now in use in which sheet material of various kinds, such as plywood, metal sheets, and similar materials are covered with flexible plastic liningsheets, for example, to render the pools waterproof and minimize the cost of installation thereof.

Particularly in regard to swimming pools in which plastic lining material-is utilized to render the same waterproof, it is obvious that the installation of ladders of various kinds presents a problem in regard to securing the ladders effectively, especially to the sidewalls of the pools which are covered by plastic lining material. Provisions have to be made to insure against piercing through the lining material at the location where the ladders rest against the sidewalls of the pool, for example.

Another example of stairs in a pool in accordance with the prior art is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,478,370, dated Nov. 18, 1969. The stairs are pre-formed and installed at one end of the pool but, as is described in the patent, to render the same waterproof, the treads and risers are covered with the vinyl liner. Obviously, treading upon said liner is conducive to puncturing the same and results in leakage. Only very limited bracing is provided and the shell of the stairs is in the form of an arc of appreciable radius but having straight steps; thereby expensive fabrication is involved.

The principal purpose of the present invention is to provide stairs, as distinguished from ladders, for easy and effort-free access and exit to and from swimming pools and providing certain innovations therein, details of which are as follows:

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is another object of the invention to provide stairs for a swimming pool which, in particular, may be included in newly constructed pools incident to building the same, but, if desired, such stairs likewise may be installed without great difficulty in one or more walls of a pool that has been constructed previously to the installation of the stairs.

It is a further object of the invention to form a set of stairs in the shape of a shell which is of a pre-formed nature and includes both stair tread and riser'panels which are integrally connected at the ends thereof to I sidewalls of the stair shell, as well as being integrally connected to each other along adjoining edges thereof so as to render the shell unitary and waterproof as far,

as all surfaces of the shell are concerned in view of at. least a portion of said stairs being within the water of the pool, under normal conditions, to a major extent.

It is still another object of the invention to form the aforementioned shell for said stairs either by forming materials, such as synthetic resin by well-known techniques, such as vacuum-forming the same or pressureforming the same, or the shell may be formed by hand layup or sprayup techniques, including those using glass fiber reinforced synthetic resins.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide preferably all the edges of such stair shellwith laterally extending flanges adapted to overlie adjacent portions of the side of a pool in which the stairs are mounted and also overlie. the adjacent edges of a deck which may be provided to extend rearwardly from the upper edges of the sides of the pool, as well as flange extensions which are imbedded directly in the deck material and interlocked therewith.

It is still another object of the invention to form one embodiment of such a shell for stairs from relatively thin sheet material and reinforce and support the same by installing concrete firmly against the lower surfaces of the shell and especially against the lower surfaces of the tread portions of the steps of the shell whereby, after the cement has set, a very finn support for the tread panels of the steps is provided, which, if desired, may include the use of reinforcing tie-bars which may extend beneath the treads between the opposite sides of the shell.

It is one further object of the invention to provide simple but effective means for rendering the connection between the forward edges of the shell which forms the stairs waterproof with respect to the side structure of the pool in which the stairs are installed whereby, in conjunction with the waterproof nature of the shell per se, the pool water may extend into the stair shell without leakage occurring through the stair shell or side of the pool connected to said shell.

Still another very important object of the invention is to adapt the stair shell not only to being readily connected to flanges of sheet metal side panels for swimming pools but, in particular, to brace the profile of the shell and unitize the shell therewith by connecting angularly extending brace means securely to opposite sides of the shell and the sidewalls of the pool to render the sides of the pool rigid and also facilitate the installation of the sides of the pool.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a stair unit which is sufficiently rigid and has adequate strength to be self-supporting when connected to the sidewall of a pool for support thereby in a cantilever manner.

It is a still further object to provide suitable panel-like supporting means for such a stair unit which are connectable to opposite sides of the stair shell and rest upon undisturbed earth adjacent the pool, or upon simple concrete footers, if desired, said supporting means being fastened to the sidewalls of the stair shell by tiebars or similar means extending between opposite sides of the shell.

One other object is to provide auxiliary supporting means for such a stair shell by providing horizontal rigid members which respectively extend beneath some or all of the tread portions of the stairs and the opposite ends of the members projecting beyond the sidewalls of the stair shell so as to rest firmly upon or be imbedded within the earth adjacent opposite sides of the shell to furnish permanent support, expecially for the tread portions of the stairs.

A still further object is to provide adequate strength in the shell which is capable of supporting it by the installation of piers at the outermost opposite corners of the shell, said piers being installed suitably in the adjacent earth and the shell resting thereupon by gravity.

It is another object of the invention to provide auxiliary or supplemental supporting means for a stair shell of the type described above, whereby said supporting means may be pre-installed relative to the sidewall of a pool and arranged to have said shell deposited upon said supporting means and requiring only the connection of flanges at the forward end of said shell to the edges of the opening in the sidewall of the pool in watertight manner.

It is a further object ancillary to the foregoing one to provide vertical supporting members connected to and extending rearwardly from the sidewall of the pool and having transverse supporting members extending between and supported by said vertical supporting members which are engaged by the lower surfaces of the tread panels of said shells to support said shell in a vertical direction.

Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention, as well as other objects thereof, are set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising pan of the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of a swimming pool in which stairs embodying the principles of one embodiment of the present inven' tion are installed in one wall thereof.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the embodiment of stair and pool structure shown in FIG. I and illustrated on a larger scale than employed in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary construction of stair shell embodying the principles of the present invention as preferably contemplated to be manufactured. I

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical elevation of the front face of the stairs shown in FIGS. 1 3, as viewed from the front of said stairs, and illustrating certain of the clamping means to render the wall connections to the stairs waterproof.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical elevation of the left-hand side of the stair installation shown in FIG. 4 and illustrated in substantially larger scale than in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of certain details of the pool structure shown in FIG. 5 as seen on the line 6-6 thereof.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the rear face of a bottom panel associated with the stair shell for installation along the lower edge thereof in certain types of pool constructions.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a detail of the pool structure shown in FIG. 5 as seen on the line 8-8 thereof.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 but additionally showing another embodiment of supplementary supporting means for the stair shell.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing a detail of exemplary means for connecting parts of the supplementary supporting means to the stair shell beneath the tread panels before completing assembly of all the supporting means.

FIG. 11 is a further fragmentary side elevational view of a detail of the assembly employed in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary side elevation of a stair shell similar to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 9 but illustrating a still further embodiment of supplementary supporting means for the shell.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a detail of the supplementary supporting means illustrated in FIG. 12, as seen on the line 13-13 thereof.

FIG. 14 is still another fragmentary side elevation of a stair shell similar to that shown in FIGS. 2, 9 and 12, but illustrating a still further embodiment of supplementary supporting means for the stair shell.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a detail of the supplementary supporting means shown in FIG. 14, as seen on the line 15-15 thereof.

FIG. 16 is a still further fragmentary side elevation of a stair shell similar to that shown in FIGS, 2, 9, l2 and 14 but illustrating still another embodiment of means to support the stair shell.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary vertical elevational view similar to FIG. 16 but showing a supplemental version of said embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing a stair shell in process of being lowered onto a preassembled supplemental supporting means associated with the wall of a pool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, a so-called in-the-ground pool is illustrated. Said pool has substantially vertical walls 12 and 14. Such illustration is intended to be exemplary only, in view of the fact that the stairs 16 which comprise the present invention may be mounted in the wall of other shapes of pools, including walls which are curved relative to vertical axes or otherwise. In FIG. 1, it will be understood that the walls 12 and 14 have earth fill 18 disposed against the outer surfaces thereof. However, it also is to be understood that the stairs 16 may be incorporated in so-called above-the-ground types of pools in which the bottom 20, for example, comprises the surface of the earth, or otherwise, upon which the pool is installed, if suitable auxiliary bracing and support for the stairs is provided.

In accordance with the present invention, one of the walls, such as the wall 12 of the pool 10 has an opening 22 formed therein. Said opening is cut, for example, either into wood paneling or sheet metal from which the wall of the pool is formed and over which, for example, waterproof plastic or synthetic resin sheet material is mounted, such as vinyl resin of suitable thickness, in accordance with conventional construction in many types of pools which use such lining.'I-Iowever, it also is to be understood that the stairs 16 may be installed in a wall of a swimming pool formed from masonry construction, for example, such as from poured concrete or laid concrete blocks or the like, if desired. Further the stairs 16 may be installed in a pool at the time the pool per se is being installed or a suitable opening such as the opening 22 may be formed in an existing pool for purposes of mounting the stairs 16 relative to such opening.

The stairs 16 preferably is constructed in the form of a shell which is best illustrated in perspective manner in FIG. 3. For example, and without restriction thereto, the stairs 16 may be formed from a sheet of synthetic resin or plastic material, of suitable thickness, such as of the order of between one-fourth inch and one-third inch, such as by vacuum or pressure forming relative to a suitable die, and trimming excess material from the edges. However, the shell also may be manufactured from appropriate sheet metal material, such as aluminum, steel or otherwise, by the use of suitable compression dies, either of a progressive nature or otherwise. The principal objective of such construction is to produce a stair shell of waterproof nature, details of which are as follows. Depending upon whether the shell is to be substantially self-supporting or is to utilize supplementary underlying supporting means, the thickness of the shell may be varied to correspondingly vary the strength, depending upon the foregoing circumstances.

The stair shell 16 is provided with opposite sidewalls 24 and 26, and also has a set of similar steps comprising tread panels 28 and riser panels 30, which preferably are integrally connected to said sidewalls. The tread panels 28 may be provided with suitable friction patterns molded therein or applied thereto. Without restriction thereto, the uppermost riser panel 30 is provided with a laterally extending flange 32, which is coextensive in length therewith and terminates in a downwardly extending flange 33, see FIG. 3. The ends of flanges 32 and 33 are connected to additional laterally extending flanges 34 which are integral with and extend laterally outward from the upper edges of the sidewalls 24 and 26 and each terminate in a downwardly extending terminal flange 35 coextensive with flange 34 in length. The flanges 33 and 35 preferably extend down wardly approximately one inch or otherwise, as found to be expedient, for purposes of being imbedded in and bonded to the concrete of the adjacent deck. when formed, described hereinafter. They may be perforated for bonding therewith, if desired.

The forward edges of the sidewalls 24 and 26, which preferably are substantially vertical, also have additional lateral flanges 36 coextensive in length therewith and extending outward in opposite directions therefrom. Preferably, the lowermost portion of the stair shell 16 comprises the lowest step tread panel 28 which is formed with a downwardly extending lateral flange 38 that is coextensive therewith and also is integral with the lower ends of flanges 36 which extend along the forward edges of sidewalls 24 and 26. The flanges 36 and 38 also preferably are formed with a series of holes 40 for purposes of connecting the flanges to the edges defining the opening 22 in the wall of a pool 10.

When the stairs 16 are formed fromplastics or synthetic resin, suitable resins which may be used are acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Without restriction to these, the resin to be used preferably should include ultra-violet inhibitors or naturally be of such nature. Sheet resin of such types having a thickness of between 0.250 and 0.350 inch are suitable, especially when the stairs are supported on concrete fill beneath the same. The foregoing data is exemplary-and not to be regarded as restrictive, since suitable variations, within reason, maybe resorted to, especially if the shell is to have sufficient strength that underlying supporting means is not to be required, as described in certain embodiments hereinafter.

Incident to installing the stair 16 within a wall of a pool, and especially, for example, in regard to installing the stairs in an in-the-ground pool, the earth surrounding the pool is excavated to provide a sloping surface, for example, which extends into the ground a distance sufficiently below and away from the position for the stair shell that a mass of concrete 44. of suitable thickness may be poured and appropriately packed between the sloping earth surface 42 and the lower and outer surfaces of the tread panels 28 and riser panels 30' of the stair shell 16, by appropriate tamping and other similar operations. Prior to installing the concrete 44, however, the shell comprising stairs 16 preferably is securely connected to and anchored with respect to the opening 22, such as illustrated in exemplary manner in the wall 12 in FIG. 1. Appropriate exemplary anchoring means of a preferred type are described below.

One appropriate means to install fluid concrete against the lower surfaces of stair treads 28 and against riser panels 30 is to work the concrete into the spaces between the same and the sloped earth surface 42 and compact it inwardly from opposite sides of said spaces and then insert temporary vertical panels into the earth surface, for example, somewhat as a darn or form wall, to prevent the retreating of the concrete therefrom. The concrete preferably is filled to within about 4 inches of the top of said space to receive deck concrete after the fill concrete has set.

For purposes of illustrating a typical example of pool construction with which the preferred embodiment of stairs comprising the present invention may be installed, attention is directed particularly to FIGS. 2, and 6. Especially in FIG. 6, it will be seen that a wall panel 46 is shown which defines a part of one side of a pool. Said panel may be formed from sheet steel, for example, or other rigid sheet material, and the construction, in general, may be similar to that shown in the details of the pool comprising the subject matter of US. Pat. No. 3,51 1,002, dated May 12, 1970, in the name of George C. Fox.

A plurality of similar panels 46 respectively are provided with rearwardly extending flanges 48 of suitable width, such as of the order of three or four inches. Adjoining panels in the wall of a pool are connected together by appropriate bolts extending through abutting flanges 48 in the manner illustrated in detail in said prior patent. Incident to connecting the shell comprising stairs 16 relative to the side of the pool, however, the flange 48 nearest one of the sidewalls of stair shell 16, such as sidewall 24 thereof, is utilized to support a mounting strip 50. The strip 50, for example, may be formed from steel or aluminum about one-half inch thick and 2 inches or more in width and preferably coextensive in length with the flanges 36 which project from the forward edges of the sidewalls 24 and 26 of the shell stairs 16.

A series of holes 52 extend along the mounting strip 50 adjacent the rearward edge thereof and the front edge of the strip 50 is provided with a series of spaced, tapped holes 54, as shown in FIG. 6. If preferred, the holes 52 also may be tapped for purposes of receiving clamping bolts 56 or conventional nuts and bolts may be used. The tapped holes 54 also receive additional clamping bolts 58, which may be a different size from the bolts 56 as shown in FIG. 6. The bolts 56 secure the flange 48 of the panel 46 firmly to one side of the mounting strip 50 and, incidentally, also may be used to secure to one side of said mounting strip the upper end of a bracing channel 60, which, in cross-section, may be channel-shaped, and comprises one embodiment of supplementary supporting means, especially for the upper end portions which are farthest from the sidewall of the pool.

The bracing channel 60 is supplemented by an additional bracing channel 62, said bracing channels being shown in side elevation in FIG. 2 and it will be seen that they are disposed in an X-shaped arrangement to effect firm bracing for the sides of the pool. It is to be understood that similarly arranged pairs of said bracing channels are disposed at regular intervals along the sides of the pool to brace the sides thereof and also facilitate installation of the sides of the pool in the manner illustrated in detail in said aforementioned patent. One or more connecting bolts 64, see FIG. 2, may be employed to connect the bracing channel 60 and 62 together.

The lower end of channel 60 may be mounted in a concrete footer 66, for example, to stabilize the same and appropriate locking means, such as a pin 68, may

I be used to extend through certain holes in the flanges of the channel 60 and also into the concrete of the footer 66 at the time it is poured. The lower end of bracing channel 62 may be secured by a suitable bolt 70, for example, to one of the end flanges 72, of a lower side plate 74, shown in detail in FIG. 7, which extends downward from and is connected at its upper edge to the lateral flange 38, for example, on the lowermost tread panel 28 of the shell comprising the stairs 16. An additional mounting strip 50 may also be used to extend horizontally along the upper edge portion of the lower side plate 74, as shown in vertical section in FIG. 8, for purposes to be described.

The firm connection of the sides of the stair shell 16 to the X-brace means comprising channels 60 and 62 is considered an important improvement afforded by the present invention. Such arrangement of supplemental supporting means unitizes the stair shell with the adjacent portion of the sidewalls of the pool, thus not only firmly connecting the stair shell to said walls, but also effectively bracing the shell to support it in operative position even if some of the backfill earth may settle after the pool has been installed and the deck around it has been installed. Such arrangement also further anchors the stair shell relative to the adjacent undisturbed earth, such as effected at least partially by the footers 66.

Further to anchor the sides 24 and 26 relative to the concrete 44 beneath the stairs, suitable tiebars 45, shown at the ends thereof in FIG. 2, may be formed from steel reinforcing rods, for example, and be imbcdded in the concrete when it is poured. The bars 45 are coextensive in length with the stairs and the ends of the bars are suitably anchored to the bracing channels 62, for example, by bending the ends of the rods suitably to extend them through holes in the webs of said channels.

The pool which is specifically illustrated in the various figures of the present application is the type which employs a water proof lining of sheet material 76 which is best shown in FIG. 6. Such material may be vinyl synthetic resin, of appropriate thickness and of the type customarily employed in many kinds of swimming pools. When installing the stairs 16, the lining sheet 76 may initially be extended across the opening 22 while the shell comprising stairs 16 is being anchored in operative relationship with respect to the wall 12, and particularly relative to the X-type bracingframes comprising channels 60 and 62.

After the anchoring of the stairs has been effected, by the structural embodiments described above, sealing means is applied against the outer surfaces of the lining material 76 in the form of elongated gasket strips 78 of suitable material, best shown in detail in FIG. 6. Elongated clamping members 80 which, for rigidity, preferably are channel-shaped, are disposed against the gasket strips 78 in opposition to the mounting strips 50. The gaskets and the adjacent wall of the clamping members 80 are provided with holes in a pattern corresponding to the holes 54 in the mounting strip 50 for the reception of the clamping bolts 58 therethrough. Upon tightening the bolts 58, an effective seal will be formed between the lining material 76 and the flanges 36 and 38 along the forward side edges and lower edge of the shell comprising the stairs 16, following which the portion of the lining sheet 76 which extends across zontally extending clamping member 80 which is similar in shape and function to clamping members 80 which are connected to flanges 36. Referring to FIG. 6, if desired, the clamping bolts 58 may be masked by disposing a channel-shaped finishing member 82 over the channel 80. The finishing member 82 may be formed from appropriate synthetic resin or non-corrosive metal or the like so as to be snapped over the outer face of the clamping channel members 80 and thus provide a smooth surface which will minimize the possibility of injury resulting to persons contacting the same.

If desired, the three clamping members 80 may be connected into a unitary U-shaped member.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the pool 10 is provided with a deck 84 which extends outwardly from the upper edge of sides 12 and 14 of the pool. The edge of the deck 84 which is nearest the sides of the pool is provided with a suitable finishing structure such as a rounded coping 86 which, for example, may be similar to that shown in said aforementioned patent, as well as the coping shown in additional prior US. Pat. No. 3,371,455, issued Mar. 5, 1968, in the name of George C. Fox. An exemplary illustration of the coping and deck is shown in FIG. 2. The deck 84, for example, may be poured from concrete, or otherwise formed, and incident to this being done, the upper ends of the bracing channels 60 and 62 of the 'X-shaped bracing panel may be anchored therein and otherwise the upper ends of said channels may be prevented from spreading by the use of suitable means such as a tie bar 88 which is connected at its ends to the upper ends of said bracing channels in any appropriate manner. One example of such connection is illustrated in detail in said prior US. Pat. No. 3,511,002, Said tie bars also may be imbedded in the concrete of the deck 84.

In order to enhance the finished effect of the installa tion of the stairs 16, particularly with respect to the deck 84, attention is directed to FIG. 3 in which it will be seen that the junction 90 of the flanges 34 and 36 of the shell comprising the stairs 16 is molded so as to be complementary to the ends of the coping 86 which are disposed in abutting relationship with respect to the sidewalls 24 and 26 of the stairs, the rounded junctions 90 either overlying or abutting the ends of the aforementioned coping 86. Further, to enhance the connection of the flanges 32 and 34 with the adjacent portions of deck 84, the terminal flanges 33 and 35 therein preferably are imbedded in the deck concrete while it is fluid.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention described above provides a relatively simple but highly effective structure for mounting convenient stairs within one or more walls of a swimming pool so as to obviate the nuisance and discomfort, as well as danger inherently attending the use of conventional ladders and similar step arrangements now commonly used in many types of swimming pools for effecting ingress and egress to and from a swimming pool. As shown in exemplary manner in FIG. 1, for example, the lower end of the stairs 16 are disposed with respect to the bottom of the pool so that the first stair tread 28 preferably is located a distance above the bottom 20 which is more or less equal to the height of the riser panels 30 of the stairs 16. Under such circumstances, a swimmer readily may either enter or exit from the pool by using said stairs without the need of handrails or the like. Also, the various steps may serve as seats for bathers using the pool.

If desired, handrails may be mounted within the deck 84 along the portions which are adjacent the flanges 34 of the stairs for example. Further, the installation of'the stairs may readily be accomplished in a watertight manner by means shown in detail in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, but, more importantly, the integral and unitary nature ofthe shell comprising the stairs l6 renders the same automatically waterproof per se, with the exception of the connection of the forward edges of the sidewalls 24 and 26, as well as the forward edge of the lowermost tread panel 28 with the sidewall of the pool in which the stairs are mounted and such connections readily are made waterproof by the structures described above.

It also is to be understood that in lieu of packing fluid concrete 44 between the stair tread panels 28 and earth surface 42 to firmly support the same and the shell 16, other suitable underliningmeans such as bricks, concrete blocks and the like may be firmly installed, for example, between undisturbed or packed earth and the overlying portions of shell 16, including stair tread panels 28 and riser panels 30, to support the same.

In addition to the supporting and bracing means for the stair shell 16 described hereinabove and comprising the X-shaped members composed of the bracing channels 60 and 62 respectively disposed at opposite sides of the shell, the present invention includes additional supporting and bracing means, such as may be used, for example, to install the stair shell with respect to the sidewalls of swimming pools in which such X-shaped bracing means are not employed or in pool installations wherein the spacing of the bracing means may not be suitable for the same to engage or to be disposed adjacent the sidewalls 24 and 26 of the shell. Such additional supporting and bracing means are illustrated in FIGS. 9-18, details of which are as follows:

Referring to FIG. 9, the shell 16 is, preferably, at least substantially the same as that shown in the preceding figures, especially FIGS. 1-4. In order to simplify the views in FIGS. 9-16, it is to be understood that the shell 16 is connected to a suitable opening in the sidewall 12 of a swimming pool such as described hereinabove with respect to FIGS. l-8, even though such sidewalls are not shown in FIGS. 945. Also, if desired, the shell 16 as illustrated in FIGS. 9-18 may be incorporated within a suitable deck, such as deck 84, shown in FIGS. land 2, even though the same is not illustrated in FIGS. 9-18.

In FIG. 9, there is illustrated a substantially vertical, plate-like supporting or bracing member 92. It will be seen that the diagonal upper edge portion of member 92 flatly overlies the lower portion of the sidewall 26 and it will, of course, be understood that a similar member 92 is disposed adjacent the opposite sidewall 24. The lower edge of member 92 has a longitudinal flange 94 extending outwardly therefrom a predetermined distance to provide a flat surface of limited area to rest firmly upon preferably undisturbed earth 96. The rearmost edge of member 92 also has a longitudinal flange 98 which braces the member 92 against flexing. In view of the flat abutment of the upper edge portion of member 92 against the sidewall 26, there actually would be little, if any, need to include a flange along said edge to brace the same. To secure the lower flange 94 of member 92 immovably in fixed position with respect to the undisturbed earth 96, a plurality of holes are formed in said flange to receive anchoring pins 100 which extend into the undisturbed earth 96. If desired, a limited amount of cement may be installed beneath the flange 94 to serve as a footer.

The upper portions of the members 92 respectively are clamped against the outer surfaces of sidewalls 24 and 26 in the vicinity of the areas where the ends of the tread and riser panels 28 and 30 are connected to the sidewalls. In order that the shell may not be penetrated in any way and thus remain waterproof incident to establishing such desired clamped relationship, the embodiment of clamping means employed in the arrangement shown in FIGS. 9-11 comprises transversely extending tubes 102, the length of which is equal to the transverse distance between the outer surfaces of the sidewalls 24 and 26. As shown in FIG. 10, the tube 102 is connected to the under surface of tread panel 28 illustrated therein by suitable means such as cement 104. Cement is particularly appropriate if the shell 16 is formed from synthetic resin and the thickness of the tread and riser panels 28 and 30 is adequate to render the same relatively stiff so as to be braced against appreciable flexing when supporting the weight of persons moving to and from the pool. Under such circumstances, the tube 102 also may be formed from synthetic resin and many types of cement 104 may be employed to effect such connection. However, it is also contemplated by the invention that the tube 102 need not be connected to the lower surface of the tread panel 28, but merely engage the same to afford at least a limited amount of supplemental bracing but primarily to act as a spacer between the members 92 at opposite sides of the shell 16.

The tube 102 also may be formed from metal and, if the shell 16 is likewise stamped, cast, or otherwise formed from metal, the tubes 102 may be connected to the lower surface of the tread panels 28 by welding under circumstances where it is desired that the tubes be connected thereto. However, as indicated above,

the tubes may be formed separately from the tread panel so as primarily to serve as spacing members, and also to position the tread panels with respect to the supporting members 92.

To effect the connection of the bracing members 92 with respect to opposite sidewalls 24 and 26 of the shell 16, tie bars 106 of greater length than the tubes 102 extend therethrough. The opposite ends of the tie bars also extend through washers 108 of a diameter larger than that of tubes 102 and nuts are threaded onto the opposite ends of the tie bars 106 to effect adequate clamping of the washers 108 against members 92, and thus, clamp the members against the sidewalls 24 and 26, as well as such arrangement providing a limited amount of support and bracing of the tread panels 28, as well as suitably positioning the shell operatively with respect to the sidewall of the pool.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, a somewhat different embodiment of means to connect the bracing members 92 to the shell 16 is illustrated. In this embodiment, relatively simple tie bars 110 which, for example, may be formed from reinforcing steel rods, extend through suitable holes in members 92, said holes being positioned preferably so as to align the rods on the inner surfaces of r the angular apexes formed by adjacent stair and riser panels 28 and 30. The ends 112 of the'rods 110 are bent perpendicularly, preferably upwardly, such as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 so as to firmly clamp the upper portions of the supporting members 92 .with respect to the outer surfaces of the sidewalls 24 and 26.

In FIGS. 14 and 15, a still further embodiment of supporting means for the shell 16 is illustrated and in which no vertical supporting members are employed. Instead, horizontally extending supporting and bracing members 114 are employed. The length of the same is such as to extend appreciably beyond the sidewalls 24 and 26 so as to rest within and be supported by the adjacent earth 42 and, preferably, undisturbed earth, so as to afford adequate support for the members 114 to resist downward movement when engaged by the tread panels 28 of the shell 16. Preferably, the members 114 are channels and the inverted position thereof is regarded as being most suitable. Further, the channels 114 preferably are mounted within the inner surface of the angular apex formed by adjacent tread and riser panels 28 and 30, as clearly shown in FIG. 14.

In FIG. 16, the most simple embodiment of the supporting means for the shell 16 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the shell 16 primarily relies for support upon the connection of its perpendicular flanges 36 with sidewalls 12 of the pool 10, said connection primarily being effected by means of the clamping members which preferably engage appropriate gasket strips, such as shown in FIG. 6, for example. The gasket strips also engage edges of the waterproof sheet liner 76 to firmly secure the same in watertight relationship against the flanges 36. t

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, it is intended that the thickness of the various integrally connected portions of the shell 16 is sufficient to render the shell rigid and sufficiently strong that it may be supported in cantilever manner by connecting the lateral flanges 36 on the forward edges of sidewalls 24 and 26 of the shell to the edges of the sidewall panels 12 for sole support thereby, if desired, especially when said panels are firmly braced by any suitable means such as shown herein or in application Ser. No. 131,638, filed Apr. 6, 1971, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. However, also if desired, backfill of earth 42, as shown specifically in FIG. 16, may be used to augment such support of the shell by sidewall panels 12. Further, if desired, the flanges 32 and 35 at the upper edge of the shell 16 may engage the deck 84 for additional support of the shell 16, regardless of the type of deck used, with or without backfill under theshell 16 and the inherent strength of shell 16 is adequate to support persons of even substantial weight under all the conditions set forth above.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 17 is a variation of that illustrated in FIG. 16 by providing, for example, vertical supplementary supporting means in the form of piers 116, which, for example, may comprise a vertical stack of concrete blocks arranged on end, the lower,

end, if desired, resting upon a suitable concrete footer 118, formed in the undisturbed base earth 96. It is to be understood that a pair of piers 116 preferably are employed, respectively adjacent opposite ends of the uppermost tread panel 28,for example, the lower surfaces of which rest by gravity upon the upper surfaces of the piers for support.

FIG. 18 illustrates one of the marked advantages of the stair construction of the present invention, especially the means by which it is both connected to the sidewalls 12 of the swimming pool 10, as well as the supplementary or auxiliary supporting means comprising part of the present invention. In said view, which is an exploded version arranged to illustrate the manner in which one of the embodiments of the auxiliary or supplementary supporting unit 120 receives the preformed stair shell 16 simply by literally dropping said shell into operative engagement with the supporting means 120. Following this, the flanges 36 and 38 of the shell may be appropriately secured to the edges of the sidewalls l2 and the lower horizontal mounting strip 50, which is secured to the upper flange of the lower side plate 74, which is clearly shown in FIG. 18.

In the specific illustration shown in FIG. 18, it will be seen that the bracing members 92 are of the type shown in FIGS. 9 and 12. Extending between the same are spacing and supporting tubes 102 which are adapted'to be disposed beneath the tread surfaces 28 of the stair shell 16. Upon the completion of the application of the various clamping bolts 58 which extend through the flanges 36 and 38, as well as the holes in the sidewalls 12 of the pool, for reception within the various mounting strips 50, the shell 16 is secured in watertight relationship with respect to the sidewalls 12 of the pool and the waterproof lining which extends over the same, without requiring any further arrangement of waterproof means with respect to the shell 16 due to the fact that in itself, it is waterproof as to all walls and panels thereof. The supporting means afforded by the bracing members 92 and the auxiliary means extending therebetween adequately brace the shell 16.

It also should be understood that the illustration in FIG. 18 is intended to show how the sidewalls of the pool may be pre-assembled with supporting means for the stair shell prior to the shell being installed therein. Further, FIG. 18 merely represents one embodiment of shell supporting means. The other embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 12, 14, 16 and 17, for example, may be used in lieu of that specifically shown in FIG. 18, within the spirit of the invention.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its several preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scope of the invention as illustrated and described.

We claim:

1. Stairs for a swimming pool comprising a set of steps having spaced sidewalls at the opposite ends of said steps, said sidewalls having planar flanges of limited width integral with and extending along the forward edges of said sidewalls in perpendicular relationship therewith, said flanges being adapted to be connected directly to a wall panel of a swimming pool, elongated mounted members extending along and in direct contact with the inner surfaces of said flanges, means interconnecting said mounting members directly to said inner surfaces of said flanges, said mounting members also being adapted to be connected to a wall of a pool, and clamping means connectable to and adapted to secure said flanges of said sidewalls of said stairs directly against adjacent edges of the wall of a swimming pool.

2. The stairs according to claim 1 further including a planar bottom panel extending between the lower edges of said sidewalls of said stairs within the plane of said flanges on the forward edges of said sidewalls and said clamping means being strip-like and extending along a forward edge of said bottom panel in addition to said flanges on the forward edges of said sidewalls of said stairs.

3. The stairs according to claim 2 in which said flanges on said sidewalls and bottom panel extend longitudinally therealong and said. clamping means being operable with said flanges to clamp said stairs directly against the wall of said pool.

4. The stairs according to claim I further includingv bracing members interconnected directly to said elongated mounting members and extending outwardly therefrom adjacent the outer surfaces of the sidewalls of said stairs, said means .connecting said mounting members to said flanges comprising bottom .tapped holes formed in said members and operable to receive clamping bolts to extend through said flanges on said sidewalls which overlie said members to secure said members and stairs together, whereby said stairs are interconnected to said bracing means.

5. The stairs according to claim 4 further including clamping and sealing means comprising channel members adapted to be connected against said flanges and a gasket adapted to be inserted between said channel members and a lining covering the walls of a pool which overlie the flanges and lower edge of said stairs.

6. Stairs for a swimming pool comprising a unitary impervious shell formed from sheet-like material and including stair tread and riser panels integrally connected along adjoining edges thereof and the ends of said panels similarly being integrally connected to sheet-like sidewalls in watertight relationship, the forward side edges of said shell having planar flanges of limited width extending laterally therefrom for watertight connection of said stairs to a sidewall of a swimming pool having a space formed therein for the reception of said unitary shell, and bracing means intercom nected to said flanges on said forward side edges of said shell and extending outwardly from said flanges respectively adjacent said sidewalls of said shell, said bracing means being adapted to engage the terrain surrounding said pool to support said stairs.

7. The stairs according to claim 6 in which said shell also has a forward edge which is lowermost when the stairs are installed in the wall of a swimming pool, said lowermost edge extending between the lower ends of the forward edges of said sidewalls of said stairs, said lowermost edge having a flange therealong extending laterally downward therefrom and within a common plane with the flanges on said sidewalls to effect connection of said shell to a wall of a swimming pool, and a bottom panel having an upper edge connectable to said downwardly extending flange and comprising a riser for the lowermost stair tread of said shell.

8. The stairs according to claim 7 in which the upper edges of said sidewalls have elongated flanges extending laterally outward therefrom in opposite directions and the edge portions thereof being adapted to be embedded in a deck of a pool when provided along the side thereof in which said stairs are mounted, thereby augmenting the support of said shell.

9. The stairs according to Claim 6 further including clamping strips comprising elongated channels adapted to extend along the outer surfaces of said flanges on said side edges of said shell and the base of said channels directly overlying the same and the edges of said to secure said strips to said flanges in watertight relationship.

10. A swimming pool having a sidewall in combination with stairs comprising a preformed shell extending rearwardly from said sidewall and said shell having opposite substantially planar sides and a series of stair tread and riser panels connected together and to said sides of said shell, the forward edges of said sides terminating in laterally extending planar flanges, means connecting end portions of said sidewall of said pool respectively to said flanges on each side of said stair shell in watertight manner, mounting members extending along the inner surfaces of said flanges, means connecting said members to said flanges adjacent said sidewalls of said shell, and structural brace members connected directly to said mounting members at opposite sides of said shell and extending therealong, rearwardly from said flanges, said brace members being adapted to be anchored to the earth adjacent opposite sides of said stair shell to brace said shell and sidewall of said pool.

11. The swimming pool according to claim 10 in which said structural brace means comprise angularly extending members connectable at one end to the earth adjacent the pool by anchoring means extendable into the earth for connection thereto.

12. The swimming pool according to claim 11 in which said brace members each comprise an X-shaped frame positioned along the opposite sides of said stair shell and the lower end of one of said members being adapted to be affixed to the earth.

13. The stairs according to claim 10 further including elongated clamping means coextensive with said flanges on said forward edges of said sidewalls of said shell, and means operable to connect said clamping means relative to said mounting members and adapted to clamp portions of the sidewall of a swimming pool between said clamping means and said mounting mem bers respectively at opposite edges of said shell.

14. The stairs according to claim 10 in which said shell is formed from synthetic resin and comprises tread and riser panels integrally connected to each other, and the ends thereof being integrally connected to said side panels of said shell, the thickness of said panels being sufficient to sustain the weight of normal adults without abnormal flexing when mounted within an opening in the sidewall of a pool.

15. Stairs for a swimming pool comprising a set of steps having spaced sidewalls at the opposite ends of said steps, said sidewalls having planar flanges of limited width integral with and extending along the forward edges of said sidewalls in perpendicular relationship therewith, said flanges beingadapted to be connected directly to a wall panel of a swimming pool, elongated mounting members extending along and in direct contact with the inner surfaces of said flanges, means interconnecting said mounting members directly to said inner surfaces of said flanges, said mounting members also being adapted to be connected to a wall of a pool, and clamping means connectable to bracing means for said stairs comprising plate-like supporting members positioned closely to the outer surfaces of said sidewalls of said stairs and depending downwardly therefrom for engagement with and support by the earth surrounding said stairs, and means extending transversely between said supporting members and interengaging said sidewalls of said stairs to provide support therefor relative to said surrounding earth.

16. The stairs for a swimming pool according to claim 15 in which said means extending between said supporting members are elongated members positioned to underlie at least certain steps of said stairs to support the same against downward movement. 

1. Stairs for a swimming pool comprising a set of steps having spaced sidewalls at the opposite ends of said steps, said sidewalls having planar flanges of limited width integral with and extending along the forward edges of said sidewalls in perpendicular relationship therewith, said flanges being adapted to be connected directly to a wall panel of a swimming pool, elongated mounted members extending along and in direct contact with the inner surfaces of said flanges, means interconnecting said mounting members directly to said inner surfaces of said flanges, said mounting members also being adapted to be connected to a wall of a pool, and clamping means connectable to and adapted to secure said flanges of said sidewalls of said stairs directly against adjacent edges of the wall of a swimming pool.
 1. Stairs for a swimming pool comprising a set of steps having spaced sidewalls at the opposite ends of said steps, said sidewalls having planar flanges of limited width integral with and extending along the forward edges of said sidewalls in perpendicular relationship therewith, said flanges being adapted to be connected directly to a wall panel of a swimming pool, elongated mounted members extending along and in direct contact with the inner surfaces of said flanges, means interconnecting said mounting members directly to said inner surfaces of said flanges, said mounting members also being adapted to be connected to a wall of a pool, and clamping means connectable to and adapted to secure said flanges of said sidewalls of said stairs directly against adjacent edges of the wall of a swimming pool.
 2. The stairs according to claim 1 further including a planar bottom panel extending between the lower edges of said sidewalls of said stairs within the plane of said flanges on the forward edges of said sidewalls and said clamping means being strip-like and extending along a forward edge of said bottom panel in addition to said flanges on the forward edges of said sidewalls of said stairs.
 3. The stairs according to claim 2 in which said flanges on said sidewalls and bottom panel extend longitudinally therealong and said clamping means being operable with said flanges to clamp said stairs directly against the wall of said pool.
 4. The stairs according to claim 1 further including bracing members interconnected directly to said elongated mounting members and extending outwardly therefrom adjacent the outer surfaces of the sidewalls of said stairs, said means connecting said mounting members to said flanges comprising bottom tapped holes formed in said members and operable to receive clamping bolts to extend through said flanges on said sidewalls which overlie said members to secure said members and stairs together, whereby said stairs are interconnected to said bracing means.
 5. The stairs according to claim 4 further including clamping and sealing means comprising channel members adapted to be connected against said flanges and a gasket adapted to be inserted between said channel members and a lining covering the walls of a pool which overlie the flanges and lower edge of said stairs.
 6. Stairs for a swimming pool comprising a unitary impervious shell formed from sheet-like material and including stair tread and riser panels integrally connected along adjoining edges thereof and the ends of said panels similarly being integrally connected to sheet-like sidewalls in watertight relationship, the forward side edges of said shell having planar flanges of limited width extending laterally therefrom for watertight connection of said stairs to a sidewall of a swimming pool having a space formed therein for the reception of said unitary shell, and bracing means interconnected to said flanges on said forward side edges of said shell and extending outwardly from said flanges respectively adjacent said sidewalls of said shell, said bracing means being adapted to engage the terrain surrounding said pool to support said stairs.
 7. The stairs according to claim 6 in which said Shell also has a forward edge which is lowermost when the stairs are installed in the wall of a swimming pool, said lowermost edge extending between the lower ends of the forward edges of said sidewalls of said stairs, said lowermost edge having a flange therealong extending laterally downward therefrom and within a common plane with the flanges on said sidewalls to effect connection of said shell to a wall of a swimming pool, and a bottom panel having an upper edge connectable to said downwardly extending flange and comprising a riser for the lowermost stair tread of said shell.
 8. The stairs according to claim 7 in which the upper edges of said sidewalls have elongated flanges extending laterally outward therefrom in opposite directions and the edge portions thereof being adapted to be embedded in a deck of a pool when provided along the side thereof in which said stairs are mounted, thereby augmenting the support of said shell.
 9. The stairs according to Claim 6 further including clamping strips comprising elongated channels adapted to extend along the outer surfaces of said flanges on said side edges of said shell and the base of said channels directly overlying the same and the edges of said pool lining material when disposed along said flanges, and bolt means engaging said flanges and channel strips to secure said strips to said flanges in watertight relationship.
 11. The swimming pool according to claim 10 in which said structural brace means comprise angularly extending members connectable at one end to the earth adjacent the pool by anchoring means extendable into the earth for connection thereto.
 12. The swimming pool according to claim 11 in which said brace members each comprise an X-shaped frame positioned along the opposite sides of said stair shell and the lower end of one of said members being adapted to be affixed to the earth.
 13. The stairs according to claim 10 further including elongated clamping means coextensive with said flanges on said forward edges of said sidewalls of said shell, and means operable to connect said clamping means relative to said mounting members and adapted to clamp portions of the sidewall of a swimming pool between said clamping means and said mounting members respectively at opposite edges of said shell.
 14. The stairs according to claim 10 in which said shell is formed from synthetic resin and comprises tread and riser panels integrally connected to each other, and the ends thereof being integrally connected to said side panels of said shell, the thickness of said panels being sufficient to sustain the weight of normal adults without abnormal flexing when mounted within an opening in the sidewall of a pool.
 15. Stairs for a swimming pool comprising a set of steps having spaced sidewalls at the opposite ends of said steps, said sidewalls having planar flanges of limited width integral with and extending along the forward edges of said sidewalls in perpendicular relationship therewith, said flanges being adapted to be connected directly to a wall panel of a swimming pool, elongated mounting members extending along and in direct contact with the inner surfaces of said flanges, means interconnecting said mounting members directly to said inner surfaces of said flanges, said mounting members also being adapted to be connected to a wall of a pool, and clamping means connectable to bracing means for said stairs comprising plate-like supporting members positioned closely to the outer surfaces of said sidewalls of said stairs and depending downwardly therefrom for engagement with and support by the earth surrounding said stairs, and means extending transversely between said supporting members and interengaging said sidewalls of said stairs to provide support therefor relative to said surrounding earth.
 16. The stairs for a swimming pool according to claim 15 in which said means extending between said supporting members are elongated members positioned to underlie at least certain steps of said stairs to support the same against downward movement. 